Barbara Ann Miller

1939 - 2023

Barbara Ann (Melton) Miler

On January 26, 2023, Barbara Ann (Melton) Miller passed away from breast cancer at the age of 84.

Barbara was born on January 17, 1939 in Dos Palos, California to Thomas M. and Nellie L. Melton. She is preceded in death by both her parents, her four sisters Vida Crain (Taft), Vera Applegate (Porterville), Delores Queen (Arroyo Grande), and Betty Vickers (Bakersfield), her brother Thomas L. Melton, and her beloved husband of 50 years, Jack Miller.

Barbara grew up in Coalinga, California. Being the youngest sister, she spent a great deal of her childhood with her older sisters and their families. Because of this, she grew very close to her nieces and nephews and maintained those relationships throughout her life.

After marrying at 15, she found herself 12 years later divorced with four small children. In order to support her family, she worked full time and attended night school classes, receiving her GED while earning various secretarial certificates. She began her career at Bartlett Junior High School, later accepting positions in the school library at both Monache High School and Porterville High School. After several years in the Porterville High School library, she transferred to the Attendance office where she eventually became Attendance Secretary / Head of Attendance, retiring from this position in 1994.

In 1967, Barbara married Jack Miller. While he began his career climb with the California Department of Forestry (now CalFire), eventually retiring as a Battalion Chief, she continued her career at Porterville High School and together they raised her four children, bought houses and cars, supported school activities and sporting events, joined bowling leagues at both Olive Bowl and Porterville Lanes, and were members of the Moose Lodge. On weekends and vacations, they loved to travel with their trailer and their dog to various destinations on the west coast and the northwest. She and Jack also enjoyed cruising to several Ports of call in Panama, Alaska (several times), and Hawaii. Barbara was also an avid quilt maker, having made numerous quilts over the years for family members.

After the loss of her husband, Barbara has been living at Touchmark at Fairway Village in Vancouver, WA to be near family. Her last five years of life were some of her most enjoyable years, filled with new friendships, Mahjongg, Quilting, and, of course, family.

Barbara is survived by her 4 children: Marla Young (Robert) and Noelle Brighton (nee Mavis Miller), both in Vancouver, WA; Chuck Miller (Denise) in Eugene, OR; and Corey Miller (Jana) in Bakersfield, CA, along with 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service and Reception will be held at Porterville Funeral & Cremation Center, 765 West Henderson, on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 11 a.m.

To sign Barbara's online register book or leave a message of condolence please visit www.portervillefuneral.com. For additional information contact Porterville Funeral & Cremation Center: 765 W. Henderson Avenue Porterville, CA 93257.